Tractor scoop structure



March 14, 1933. H. M. wlRT jRAcT'oR soooP STRUCTUREy 3 Sheets-SheetFiled Aug. 25 1931 ATTORNEY INVENTOR Jzrrymjzw March 14, 1933. H. M.wlRT 4 l TRACTOR SCOOP STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 25, 1951 C5 Sheets-Sheet 2March 14, 1933. H M, WIRT l 1,901,485

TRACTOR SCOOP STRUCTURE ATTORNEY Patented Mar. I4, 1933 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE i HARRY M. WIRT, F SPOKAN E, WASHINGTON, SSIGNOB. T0 MARCHCONSTRUCTION C0., COMPOSED 0F GEORGE H. MARGH AND HARRY M. WIRT TRACTORSCOOP STRUCTURE Application led August 25, 1931.

This invention relates to improvements in tractor drawn scoop mechanism.

A novel feature of this invention resides in a scoop frame that ismounted on bearing Wheels in such a manner that the frame may beelevatedfrom or lowered toward the dirt in horizontal planes by relativeadjustment of said wheels with respect to the frame.

A further novel feature resides in providing bearing or supportingwheels for the frame which are independently adjustable so that inaddition to raising or lowering the frame in horizontal planes, theframe may be tilted about the longitudinal axis of the frameirrespective of the position of the latter above the dirt.

The invention includes a novel form of coupling for connecting the framein draft relation to a tractor in such a manner as not only to supportthe forward end of the frame but also to permit the latter to be tiltedabout its longitudinal axis while in such supported and draft connectionwith the tractor.

The invention includes a scoop or fresno that is pivotally mounted onthe frame and is adapted to be actuated or adjusted into scoopingpositions, or levelling or surfacing I0 positions dependent upon thefunction to be performed, and the position to which the frame has beenadjusted.

In the most improved form of the invention, I employ Huid pressuremechanism for 85 adjusting the scoop and frame, and in the preferredconstruction, such mechanism is so designed and constructed that it willnot onlyadjust or move the parts to the desired position but will alsohold them to the position to which they have been movably adjusted.

A feature of special importance in this novel structure resides in aframe having a pair of supporting wheels preferably at the rear thereof,the scoop being mounted in such proximity7 to said Wheels that thegreatest load will fall thereon, and the front end of the frame having asingle point of draft connection with the tractor, which point ofconnection is also a. supporting. connection,

Serial No. 559,178.

lwhereby the frame is provided with what might be termed a tri-pointsupport.

The invention also resides in a frame, which, as a whole, is a rigidframe structure, and which is arranged and designed in such a novelmanner as to sustain the various stresses imposed by the operatingmechanism in not only adjusting the supporting wheels and the scoop tovariouspositions, but also in holding them in their adjusted positions,60 thereby avoiding the objectionable feature of a frame structurqlhaving relatively movable portions.

The invention has many other features and objects which will be morefully described in connection with the accompanying drawmoreparticularly ings and which will be pointed out in and by the appendedclaims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of the device of my inventionwhich illustrates the novel manner in which the same is coupled intodraft connection with a tractor.

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof showing the frame elevated as it.would bewhen the scoop is in' a non-operative position, the frame being in asubstantially horizontal position transversely of its len h.

Fig. 3 illustrates a i'orizontalr adjustment of the frame into a loweredposition with respect to that shown in Fig. 2, and wherein the scoop isin a cutting and dirt filling position.

Fig. 4. is an end view of the apparatus looking from the right of Fig.2.

Fig. 5 is a rear view, similar to Fig. 4, with details omitted, andshowing howT the frame may be tilted from a transversely horizontalposition with the scoop in one position of adjustment. Y

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5, showing how the frame may be tiltedinto another position and showing the scoop adjusted to a positiondifferent vfrom that shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a partial side view showing the coop adjusted to the positionshown in 1 6. Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional views through one of thevalves showing the valve plug in dierent positions.

Like characters of reference designate similar parts throughout thedierent figures of the drawings.

Referring to Fig. 1, the frame is shown to consist of side sections 1and Z'vvhich converge toward the front at 3 and 4, to an apex 5. rllheframe is closed at the rear by a transverse member 6, and therefore itwill be seenv that this Iis an enclosing type of frame a'ording amaximum of strength and wholly rigid. The characten of material makingup this frame and the particular way in which it is fabricated are notmaterial to this invention.

The frame is supported by a pair of wheels 7 and 8 which are rearwardlydisposed with respect thereto and the novel mounting of whichrwheels lwill now describe in detail. While said wheels 7 and 8 are identical instructure and operation, as well as the means for adjusting them to.dierent positions, still I will designate each unit with diferentreference numerals to facilitate a later description of operation byreason of the fact that the operative means for each wheel is selective.However, as both these units are identical, only one need be discribedin detail.

Arms 9` and 10, journal in their lower ends an axlelll, for wheel 7, andthe upper portions of said arms are non-rotatively secured to a rockshaft 12 that is journalled in bearings 13 and 14, of brackets'15' and`16, that are secured to member 6, of the frame.

Arm 10, has an o-set extension 17, which is pivotally connected at 18,with links 19, whose remaining ends are pivoted at 20, to a cross head20 that is slidable in guideways 21, mounted on frame section 1, as willbe seen from Fig. 1. A pistonrod 22, is connected with said cross head20 and said `pistonA rod extends into a cylinder 23, secured at 24, tosection 1, of the frame, and is connected with a piston 25, that isslidable in said cylinder 23, responsive to fluid pressure exerted oneither face ofthe piston, as will Y be later described. It may be statedhowever, that fluid pressure will be exerted on both sides of the pistonin the majority of cases by reason of the fact that the' function of theoperative means set forth is not only to shift wheel 7 to av givenposition, but also to hold it in the position to which it has beenshifted. For convenience lin the later description of operation theoperative means just described for w eel 7, will be referred to as meansA.

'Wheel 8, is axled on 26, in the lower1 ends of arms are rigidly securedto rock and isl journalled 27 and 28 which shaft 29, that is journalledin bearings 30 and 31 of brackets 32 and 33, secured to cross member 6.Arm 28 has an olf-set extension 34 pivoted to links 35, and the latterare pivoted to a cross head frame member 2. A cylinder 38, is anchoredat 39, to member 2, and contains a piston 40, having a piston rod 41,that is connected with cross head 36. rEhe above operating means forwheel 8, will hereinafter be referred to as a whole, as means B.

Reference will `next be made'to the improved draft and supportingcoupling by means of which the frame, just described, is coupled with atractor, reference being had more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2.

1 have conventionally shown a caterpillar tractor designated as a wholeat C and having a platform 42 from which a seat 43, rises. A draw bar44, rigid with the tractor, extends rearwardly therefrom and is providedwith a swivel block 45. A swivel draft bolt 46 is rotatively mounted insaid block and'has a head or nut 47 adapted to transmit draft to saidblock. A clevis 48 is rig- 36, slidable in guide ways 37, mounted on' iidly connected with said bolt 46 and is adapted to receive a forwardlyprojecting draft bar 49, secured to said frame, and a clevis pin 50,unites the frame with said draw bar, as will now be clear. rlhere 'issufficient play between the bar 49 and the clevis 48 to permit of up anddown adjustment of the rear of the frame, as will later appear. Further,the swivel connection permit of tilting movement of the frame about thelongitudinal axis of the latter which is coincident with the axis ofbolt 46. In addition to the foregoing, it will be seen that this noveldraft coupling serves to support the forward end of the frame, the rearend being supported by wheels 7 ,and 8.

Reference will next be made to my improved scoop or fresno and to themanner in which it is mounted in the frame and also to the operatlvemeans foradjusting and holding 4the same in lixed positions.

This scoop comprises bottom, end and'side Walls 51, 52 and 53,respectively, the scoop having an open front, and the bottom wall 51terminating in a cutting or scraping or pivotal axis is disposedforwardly of the scoop, as far as possible, and the scoop is located asnear the rear frame member 6, as possible. Thus,A it will be clear thatthe major weight is carried by wheels 7 and 8, and only a minor weightis carried by the novel coupling, heretofore described. No structuralstops are necessary to limit movement of the scoop except in a position,by reason of the fact that the scoop is adjusted to diiferent positionsand held in such positions, either when functioning or dirt carryingnot, by the' operating means about" to be described.

Said operating means is mounted on an elevated frame rising from themain frame,

heretofore described. As shown, transverse supporting members 57 and 58,extend across not essential, the guide ways 63 may be pro` vided withcross head stops 64. Cross heads 65, are slidable in said guide ways 63.Scoop operating links 66, are pivotally connected at 67, at their upperends to said cross heads 65, and are pivotally connected at their lowerends at 68, to upwardly projecting ears 69, on the side walls 53, ofsaid scoop.

A cylinder 70, is suitably mounted on said frame work and is providedwith al piston 71, having a piston rod 72, which latter projects througha suitable gland 73. A. cross head yoke is provided which issubstantially U-shaped, and said piston rod 72 is secured to the bight74, of saidyoke and serves to shift the latter to the left of Fig. 1,when the scoop is to be tilted upwardly, as will later appear. The limbs75, of said yoke, extend rearwardly and are pivotally connected withsaid cross heads 65. For convenience in later reference to this part ofthe structure, I will refer to the elevated frame, which is rigid withthe main frame, as frame 13? and l will refer to the scoop operatingmeans as means E and the improving coupling as F. l

Reference will next be lmade to the fluid pressure connections wherebyoperation of means A, B and E is consummated, and as these pressureconnections are only claimed broadly, in combination with the heretoforedescribed structure, reference to said connections Will be of a generalnature, as well as the illustration thereof, and the latter will besemi-diagrammatic.

On the tractor, I have shown an air or other fluid pressure reservoir76, which may have any suitable source of supply through pipe 77, whichmay if desired be `fed from a pump operated by the engine of thetractor. Pipes 78 and 7 9, are connected with the ends of cylinder 23 atpoints beyond the -travel of piston 25, or rather at points beyond theextremes of travel of the latter, so that pressure fluid can be admittedto either end of the cylinder. Said pipes are intersected by acontrolling valve which I will designate as a whole by G, and leadingfrom valve G, are pipes 80 and'81. Valve G has an operating handle 82,accessible to the driver in seat 43, as will be clear from Fig. 1.

Valve G, is shown in horizontal section,

in two positions in Figs. 8 and 9, and comprises a valve casing 83having an oscillatory plug or valve closure 84, therein, adapted to beoperated by handle 82. Said casing 83 has exhaust ports 85 and 86, whichare shown as opening to atmosphere. The closure 84 has a main fiuidconducting port 87 adapted in the Fig. 8, position to connect pipes 80and 78, and in the Fig. 9, po-D sition, to connect pipes 79 and 81. Thevalve casing 83, has ports of the same diameter as said port 87, forregistering the latter with the above named pipes, as clearly shown.Said closure 84, has an exhaust port 88, of reduced size with respect toport 87 and which is adapted to connect pipe 79 with exhaust 85, whenthe closure is in the Fig. 8, position and when said closure is in theFig. 9, position, port 88 registers with pipe 8O and with a blindportion of casing 83, which is a non-functioning position for port 88.Said closure has an exhaust port 89, which in the Fig. 8,positioinregisters with pipe 81 and with a blind portion of Casing 83,which is a non-functioning position. In the Fig. 9, position, port 89registers with pipe 78 and exhaust port 86. It will be clear that thereis so much difference in size between port 87 and ports 88 and 89, thatcontrol of exhaust can readily be eected by partial registry of port 87,with the selected pipes.

It will now be clear that if valve Gr, is in the Fig. 8, position, airor other fluid pressure will iow from reservoir 76 through pipes 80,valve Gr and pipe 78, to force pis- .the Fig. 2, position to a positionlike that shown in Fig. 3, as regards wheel 8, then, the valve closurewould be shifted into the Fig. 9, position. Thus air or other pressureiuid would flow from the reservoir 76 through pipe 81, valve G and pipe79, tothe right hand side of piston 25, viewing Fig. 1,- and force thepiston 25 to the left of said figure to the desired extent. Exhaustwould take place through pipe 78, port 89 and ex.- haust 86, and port 88would be in a nonfunctioning position, as shown in Fig. 9. By reason ofthe small size of the exhaust ports 85 and 86, it will be easy to shiftthe closure 84 suliciently to cut ports 88 or 89 out of registry withthe particular exhaust ports named, and still maintain registry throughport 87 and hence, after the piston had been moved to the desiredposition, such adjustment of the valve would serve tohold fluid pressurecontrol .rear end of the scoop in Figs.

the piston in such adjustment. Thus, it will be seen that the piston isa double acting piston, and active fluid pressure will function againstthat side of the piston where resistance is greatest, or against thegreatest thrust exerted by the part being controlled.

Means B, for wheel 8, is controlled by the `indentical type illustratedand described in pendent controls for the wheels 7 and 8,.

whereby both may be shifted to raise or lower the' frame in a horizontalplane, or whereby oneJ wheel may be shifted to a differentpositionvfromthe other, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, totilt the frameabout its longitudinal axis as desired.

I have merely shown one specic form of for air, Voil or whatevervmediumis employed, as it will be understood that in View of this disclosure,the specific forml of said control may readily be' changed, within thepurview of the claims.

Fluid pressure control of the scoop, is identical with that described inconnection with means A and means B. Pipes 94 and 95, lead from cylinder70, to'a valve I, which is accessible to the driver, and from valve I,pipes 96 and 97 lead to the reservoir While in the majority of positionswhich the scoop may occupy, no stops are necessary, still, in the dirtcarrying position shown in Fig.'2, I provide stops 64, which are securedto wall 52, of the scoop J, and which overhang and are adapted to engagethe top of frame member 6, and which function to limit downward movementof the J. This novel dis-l position of the stops disposes most of theweight on the rearwheels 7 and 8.

While the main frame is practically at all times disposed at a downwardinclination toward the tractor, wherever I have referred to said frameas being raised or lowered in a horizontal plane, I mean'its transverseplane, as it will be seen from Fig. 4, that member 6, is horizontallydisposed and can be raised or lowered in a horizontal plane, or tiltedas shown 5 and 6, from a horizontal plane.

While itis believed that the operation will vbe understood from theforegoing description, it may briefly be recapitulated as follows Ingoing to and from, the work, the scoop, which may be designated as awhole at J, may be disposed in the position shown in any operativeposition of the latter,

why there is such 4 it will be clear thaty25 and 40, viewing Fig.wheels, and the adjustment would vbe such.

Y registry with Fig. 2, with the cross heads 65 engaging the abutments-64', and the wheels 7 and 8 in the foremost position'of adjustment. rIhevalves Gr and I-I, would be in the Fig. 8, position, and turnedsuciently to dispose the exhaust ports'88, out of registry with theports 85 so that there would be pressure against pistons 25 and 40, orspecifically against the left hand faces thereof, viewing Fig. 1. Thus,the wheels 7 and 8 would be held in the Fig. 2, position, and by reasonof the fact that the owheels are so far forward that a vertical planeintersecting the axis of shafts 12 and 29, would be slightly inthe rearof the axes of wheels 7 and 8, the latter would be suiicirently lbeyondor forward of dead center so that the weight would be 'structurallycarried by the arms 9, 10 and 27 and 28. Valve I, would be shifted sothat its main port corresponding to port 87, would be"fin an out ofregistry position, which could be termed a neutral position, because theabutments '64 would support the scoop J in the Fig. 2, position, which.is either a non-functioning position, or a dirt carrying position. Inthis position, it will be seen that the bottom wall 51, is in asubstantially horizontal position, which is not a usual scooping ordigging position.

Reference will next be made to the scooping or digging position shown inFig. 3, and

A t this point it is important to state that there is a very essentialand interdependent action between the adjustment of wheels 7 and 8 andthe adjustment of the scoop J, for and it will now be understood anintimate combination between the wheels and their adjusting means, andthe scoop and its adjusting means, even though the acts of `adjustmentmay be performed sequentially instead ofy simultaneously.

Assuming that the operator desired to dispose the scoop J with itsbottom transversely horizontal to dig or scoop a horizontal swath, thevalves Gr vand I-I would be adjusted into the Fig. 8, position until thewheels 7 and 8 had assumed the Fig. 3,' position, and then to supportand maintain said wheels in such position, the valves G and H would beturned to the Fig. 9, position, so that pressure would be against theright hand faces of pistons 1, to sustain the that "the exhaust ports 89would be out of ports 86, so that there would' of air or 'pther pressurefluid. Thus, the pressure fluid against the left hand faces of pistons25 and 40, would be locked or trapped and the active pressurewould belagainst the left hand faces of said pistons, which would be the sameasa double acting position, for this particular purpose.l `If it be noexhaust were desired to have the active ,pressure/ the valve adjustmentpre-requisite therefor.

against both sides of the pistons, at all times, I consider this wouldbe within the province of my invention, in view of the presentdisclosure. At any time that a further or lesser adjustment of thewheels f? and 8, were to be made, the valves G and H, could be turned tothe full Fig. 8 or 9 position, in accordance with the nature ofadjustment desired, vand thereafter, a non-exhaust position could berestored, with active pressure on that side of the piston sustaining thegreatest load.

After the frame had been adjusted to the Fig. 3, position, the operatorwould adjust valve I, to shift the scoop J to the required or desiredtilt and it would then be held at such position, as will now be clear,by thereafter making a non-exhaust adjustment of valve I, or changingthe adjustment of said valve if he desired `a greater or increasing tiltof scoop J. After the scoop had' been filled, even in the position shownin Fig. 3, and without changing the position of the scoop, the valves Gand H could be adjusted to raise the frame and the filled=scoop J wouldbe elevated and the apparatus could be advanced to a dump location.After the frame had been elevated, it will be clear that the scoop J,could be tilted upwardly as shown in. Fig. 6, or 7, to dump thecontents. v y

Assuming that it was desired to crown a road bed in the process offorming it, then the wheels 7 and 8 could be adjustedvto the positionshown in Fig. 5, while working on one side of the apex of the crownhandthen to the position shown in Fig. 6, while working on the other sidethereof.

In Fig. 7, I have shown how the scoop J can be adjusted to shape a roadsurface and it will be understood that the frame can be laterally ortransversely tilted in the performance of this function, as previouslydescribed in connection with Fig. 5, and as shown in Fig. 6.

' It is believed that the invention and its operation will be fullyunderstood from the foregoin description, and while I have herein s ownand described one specific form of the invention, I do not wish to belimited thereto except for such limitations as the claims may import. Iclaim l. :In a tractor lscoop structure, a framev havingpa pair ofsupporting wheels, arms pivoted to said frame and journalling saidwheels and saidv arms being shiftable rearwardly from said frame tolower the latter and toward said frame to elevate the latter relative tothe ground and said arms being ment to said arms to shift the lattertoward or away from said frame singly or in unison to either tilt saidframe or change its degree of elevation from the ground and therebyalter the position of said scoop with respect to the ground.`

2. A scoop structure adapted to be drawn from its front end, comprising,an enclosing main frame, wheels supporting the rear of said main frame,a scoop disposed within and pivoted to said main frame, an elevatedframe rigidly mounted on and extending above said main fracme andprovided with cross head guides, cross heads slidable in said guides,links pivoted to said cross heads and to said scoop, a yoke having itslimb ends pivoted to said cross heads, and a power cylinder mounted onsaid-elevated frame and having a piston rod connected with the bight ofsaid yoke for actuating said scoop.

3. In a tractor scoop structure, a main frame adapted tdbe coupled atits front end to a tractor and composed of side and rear members, ascoop disposed between and being pivoted to said side members, anelevated frame mounted on and extending above said main frame and saidscoop and provided with cross head guides, cross heads slidable in saidguides, links having their upper ends `pivoted to saidcross heads andextending downwardly and having their lower ends pivoted to said scoop,a power cylinder mounted on said elevated frame between said cross headsand having a piston rod, a yoke having its bight connected with said rodand its limbs connected with said cross heads to operate said scoop, apair of supporting wheels for said main frame each having a lever arm, apower cylinder on each side frame member having a piston rod, a crosshead and guide' for each of said piston rods, and a link for each crosshead connecting the latter with an arm of a wheel whereby either or bothof said wheels may be shifted to raise or lower or tilt said main frameand said elevated frame, and valvel devices accessible to the driver ofthe tractor for independent control of said.power cylinders. c l

4. In a scoop structure adapted to be drawn from its front. end,comprising, a main frame, wheels supporting said main frame near therear thereof, a scoop pivotally mounted on saidmain frame and disposednear the rear thereof to impose the major weight on said wheels, anelevated frame rigidl mounted on said mainframe and exten ing above thelatter and said scoop and disposed forwardly of the latter, andmechanism on said elevated frame having downwardlyr extending link meansconnected with said'scoop rearwardly of the pivotal mounting thereof forshifting and holdingsaid scoop into dumping, scooplng, levelling orshaping positions wlth a purchase favorable to said mechanism by reason.of the elevated position thereof with respect to said scoop.

5. ln a scoop structure adapted to be drawn from its front end,comprising, a ,main frame, wheels pivotally supporting said frame, ascoop pivotally mounted on said frame to swing about a fixed axis, anelevated frame rigidly mounted on said main frame and extending abovethe latter and said scoop,\mechanism on said elevated frame connectedwith said scoop for shifting and holding the latter into'dumping,scooping, carrying, levelling, road shaping and scraping positions witha purchase favorable to said mechanism by reason of the elevatedposition thereof `with respect to said scoop, and devices for shiftingsaid pivotally mounted wheels vfor raising, lowering or tilting saidframe in accordance with the function being performed by said scoop.

6. lln af scoop structure adapted to be monaca ported'attachmentwithyatractor, a pair of supportingl wheels at the rear of a scooppivoted on said frame close to said said fratrie,

rearwardly disposedfsupporting wheels to of the latter 'from the roadsurface, in ac Y Y cordance with any of the functions being yperformedAby said scoop.

lfn witness whereof, ll have lhereunto ahxed my hand. y

HARRY M. WllR'l.

drawnl from its front end', comprising, a Y

main frame, wheels pivoted to and supporting said main frame, devicesfor shifting said wheels separately or together to raise, lower orlaterally tilt said main frame, a

v scoopmounted on said main frame to swing abouty a xed axis relative tosaid main frame, an elevated frame mounted on said main frame andextending above the latter and saidscoop, and mechanism -on saidelevated frame operatively connected with said scoop for shifting andholding the latter into dumping, scooping, carrying, levelling orshaping positions dependent upon the position of said main frame andwith a pur chase favorable to said mechanism.

7. In a scoop structure adapted to be drawn by a tractor, a frame havingside .members and provided at its front end with a swivelled draftcoupling adapted to support the front endof said frame and permit the'latter to be tilted, a pair of supporting wheels at the rear end of saidframe, a scoop disposed between and pivotally mounted on said sidemembers to swing free from interference therewith and disposedrearwardly of said frame and relativelyclose to lsaid wheels to disposethe major weight of the load on the latter, means for shifting and iholding said scoop into dirt scooping, carrying, dumping, road scrapingor road shaping posltions, and mechanism for independently changing therelation'of either or both of said wheels withrespect to said. frame toi raise or lower the latter in horizontal planes, or tilt said framefrom the horizontal and thereby alter the position of said scoop or iafford clearance of the latter lfrom the road surface, in accordancewith any of the functions being performed by. said scoop.-

8. In a .scoop structure adapted to be d rawn by a tractor, a framehaving a draft coupling at its forward end adapted for sup-

